A Southerner presidential candidate stands a better chance – AMAECHI to ADC

Friday, February 13 2026 - Rotimi Amaechi, former minister of transportation, has said the African Democratic Congress (ADC) should consider fielding a southerner as its presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking in Kano, Amaechi said the party must carefully assess three key factors in selecting its flagbearer: competence, age and what he described as the current balance of power in the country.

The former Rivers State governor stressed that the ADC needs a candidate who can win broad support, particularly in the southern part of Nigeria. “I will support whoever emerges. But I also advise the ADC to look around and identify the best material [aspirant] that can convince Nigerians that things will be turned around,” Amaechi said.

“First is capacity, second is age, and the third, which is the last point, is to respect the unwritten law of power [rotation], which is the [turn] of the south.”

Amaechi argued that the south should be allowed to complete what he described as its eight-year tenure before power returns to the north. According to him, adhering to this informal rotation principle would ease political tensions and encourage broader participation by southern aspirants.

He warned that presenting a northern candidate at a time when many southerners believe power should remain in the south could weaken the ADC’s appeal in the region.

“If you elect somebody from the north, I’m not saying we won’t campaign [for the candidate], but it will be difficult to convince the south to give up power,” he said.

Despite his preference, Amaechi reiterated that he would back whoever wins the party’s presidential primary, regardless of region. “Whether it is a southerner or a northerner is immaterial; I will support whoever emerges at the primary,” he said.

In July 2025, Amaechi had stated that he would be willing to serve only one term if he secures the ADC presidential ticket and wins the 2027 election. He said he would step down after four years to allow power rotation to the north in the interest of national stability.